WO2017110367A1 - 燃料電池システム、及び、燃料電池システムの制御方法 - Google Patents
燃料電池システム、及び、燃料電池システムの制御方法 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2017110367A1 WO2017110367A1 PCT/JP2016/085078 JP2016085078W WO2017110367A1 WO 2017110367 A1 WO2017110367 A1 WO 2017110367A1 JP 2016085078 W JP2016085078 W JP 2016085078W WO 2017110367 A1 WO2017110367 A1 WO 2017110367A1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
- H01M8/04014—Heat exchange using gaseous fluids; Heat exchange by combustion of reactants
- H01M8/04022—Heating by combustion
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
- H01M8/04858—Electric variables
- H01M8/04865—Voltage
- H01M8/0488—Voltage of fuel cell stacks
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
- B60L58/40—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
- H01M8/04225—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells during start-up
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
- H01M8/04228—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells during shut-down
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/043—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/043—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods
- H01M8/04302—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods applied during start-up
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- H—ELECTRICITY
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- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/043—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods
- H01M8/04303—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods applied during shut-down
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
- H01M8/0432—Temperature; Ambient temperature
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
- H01M8/04537—Electric variables
- H01M8/04544—Voltage
- H01M8/04559—Voltage of fuel cell stacks
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- H—ELECTRICITY
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- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
- H01M8/04537—Electric variables
- H01M8/04604—Power, energy, capacity or load
- H01M8/04619—Power, energy, capacity or load of fuel cell stacks
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
- H01M8/04701—Temperature
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
- H01M8/04746—Pressure; Flow
- H01M8/04753—Pressure; Flow of fuel cell reactants
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
- H01M8/04858—Electric variables
- H01M8/04925—Power, energy, capacity or load
- H01M8/0494—Power, energy, capacity or load of fuel cell stacks
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M8/12—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
- H01M8/1231—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M8/12—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
- H01M2008/1293—Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
- Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02T90/40—Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a fuel cell system that performs independent operation according to a load connected to the fuel cell, and a control method for the fuel cell system.
- US2014 / 0113162A1 discloses a fuel cell system that supplies a predetermined voltage to the fuel cell stack in order to suppress oxidation of the anode of the fuel cell during an emergency stop.
- the fuel cell when the power supply to the load such as the battery or the electric motor is stopped, that is, the so-called idle stop state, the fuel cell is maintained in a state suitable for power generation.
- Self-sustaining operation is implemented. For example, in the self-sustaining operation, the supply of fuel to the anode is stopped in order to suppress wasteful fuel consumption.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system and a control method for the fuel cell system that suppress a decrease in power generation performance of the fuel cell caused by oxidative deterioration of the anode electrode when power supply to the load of the fuel cell is stopped. There is.
- an anode gas and a cathode gas are supplied, and a solid oxide fuel cell that generates electric power according to a load is provided, and the gas to the fuel cell is supplied.
- a control method of a fuel cell system for controlling supply and power generation wherein a power generation operation step for controlling the flow rate of anode gas and cathode gas flowing to the fuel cell according to the size of the load, and the load is below a predetermined value
- a self-sustaining operation step for causing the fuel cell to perform self-sustaining operation.
- the self-supporting operation step includes a gas supply step of supplying a predetermined flow rate of anode gas and a predetermined flow rate of cathode gas to the fuel cell.
- FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a main configuration of the fuel cell system according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram showing an aspect of power supply by the fuel cell system.
- FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing an aspect of power supply by the fuel cell system.
- FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram showing an aspect of power supply by the fuel cell system.
- FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram illustrating an aspect of power supply by the fuel cell system.
- FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing operation control of the fuel cell system.
- FIG. 3B is a flowchart showing anode gas control.
- FIG. 3C is a flowchart showing power supply control.
- FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a time-series change of the fuel cell system.
- FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing operation control of the fuel cell system according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing heating device control.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a time-
- FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a main configuration of a fuel cell system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment is a solid oxide fuel cell system, and in the present embodiment, power is supplied to the load device 90 mounted on the vehicle.
- the fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell stack 1 that generates electric power according to a load, a fuel supply system 2 that supplies anode gas (fuel gas) to the fuel cell stack 1, and a cathode gas (oxidant gas) to the fuel cell stack 1. And an oxidant supply system 3 for supplying the oxidant.
- the fuel cell system 10 further includes an exhaust system 4 that discharges anode off-gas (fuel off-gas) and cathode off-gas (oxidant off-gas) discharged from the fuel cell stack 1 to the outside.
- the fuel cell system 10 also includes a power supply system 5 that supplies power from the fuel cell stack 1 to an external load device 90, and a control unit 6 that controls the overall operation of the fuel cell system 10.
- the fuel cell stack 1 is a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC).
- SOFC solid oxide fuel cell
- the fuel cell stack 1 is formed by laminating a plurality of cells configured by sandwiching an electrolyte layer formed of a solid oxide such as ceramic between an anode electrode (fuel electrode) and a cathode electrode (air electrode).
- the anode electrode of the fuel cell stack 1 is made of a material that reacts with oxygen at a high temperature. Due to this oxidation reaction, the characteristics of the anode electrode are deteriorated and the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 1 is lowered.
- An anode gas reformed by the reformer 26 is supplied to the anode electrode of the fuel cell stack 1, and air containing oxygen as a cathode gas is supplied to the cathode electrode of the fuel cell stack 1.
- electricity is generated by the reaction of hydrogen, methane, etc. contained in the anode gas with oxygen contained in the cathode gas. Then, the anode offgas and cathode offgas generated after the reaction are discharged from the fuel cell stack 1.
- the anode-side manifold formed in the fuel cell stack 1 is connected to an anode gas supply passage 22 and an anode gas discharge passage 29 that constitute an anode gas passage.
- a cathode gas supply passage 33 and a cathode gas discharge passage 39 constituting a passage for cathode gas are connected to the manifold on the cathode side.
- the anode gas supply passage 22 is a fuel passage for supplying anode gas to the fuel cell stack 1.
- the anode gas discharge passage 29 is a path through which the anode off gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 1 is introduced into the exhaust combustor 40.
- the cathode gas supply passage 33 is an oxidant passage that supplies the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1.
- the cathode gas discharge passage 39 is a path through which the cathode off gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 1 is introduced into the exhaust combustor 40.
- the fuel supply system 2 corresponds to a gas supply device that supplies anode gas to the fuel cell stack 1.
- the fuel supply system 2 includes a fuel tank 20, a pump 21, an anode gas supply passage 22, a control valve 23, an evaporator 24, a heat exchanger 25, and a reformer 26.
- the fuel tank 20 stores liquid containing fuel.
- reforming fuel made of a liquid obtained by mixing ethanol and water is stored.
- the pump 21 sucks the fuel and supplies the fuel to the fuel supply system 2 at a constant pressure.
- the pump 21 and the fuel cell stack 1 are connected by an anode gas supply passage 22.
- a control valve 23, an evaporator 24, a heat exchanger 25, and a reformer 26 are disposed in the anode gas supply passage 22.
- the control valve 23 includes an injection nozzle (not shown). When the fuel supplied from the pump 21 is supplied to the injection nozzle, the fuel is injected from the injection nozzle to the evaporator 24.
- the control unit 6 can control the flow rate of the anode gas by controlling the control valve 23.
- the evaporator 24 vaporizes the fuel using the heat of the exhaust gas from the exhaust combustor 40.
- the heat exchanger 25 uses the heat generated in the exhaust combustor 40 to further heat the vaporized fuel to a temperature at which the reformer 26 can reform.
- the reformer 26 reforms the fuel into an anode gas by a catalytic reaction and supplies it to the anode electrode of the fuel cell stack 1.
- the reformer 26 performs steam reforming for reforming fuel using steam.
- steam reforming at least 2 mol of steam (S) is required for 1 mol (mol) of carbon (C) contained in the fuel.
- S steam
- C carbon
- a temperature sensor 61 is provided in the anode gas supply passage 22 located between the reformer 26 and the fuel cell stack 1.
- the temperature sensor 61 detects the temperature of the anode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1.
- the detected value of the temperature sensor 61 is hereinafter referred to as “anode inlet temperature”.
- the anode inlet temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 is output to the control unit 6.
- the anode gas supply passage 22 includes branch paths 221 and 222 that branch between the pump 21 and the evaporator 24.
- the fuel flowing through the anode gas supply passage 22 is supplied to the exhaust combustor 40 via the branch path 221 and also supplied to the heating device 35 via the branch path 222.
- the branch path 221 is provided with a control valve 231 that controls the flow rate of fuel to the exhaust combustor 40.
- the branch path 222 is provided with a control valve 232 that controls the flow rate of fuel to the heating device 35.
- the opening amounts of the control valves 231 and 232 are controlled by the control unit 6.
- the oxidant supply system 3 corresponds to a gas supply device that supplies a cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1.
- the oxidant supply system 3 includes a filter 30, an air suction passage 31, a compressor 32, a cathode gas supply passage 33, a cathode gas flow rate control valve 34, and a heating device 35.
- the filter 30 removes foreign matter from the outside air and introduces the outside air into the fuel cell system 10.
- the air suction passage 31 is a passage through which air from which foreign matter has been removed by the filter 30 is passed to the compressor 32.
- One end of the air intake passage 31 is connected to the filter 30, and the other end is connected to the intake port of the compressor 32.
- the compressor 32 is a cathode gas supply device that supplies cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1.
- the compressor 32 which is a cathode gas supply device takes outside air (cathode gas) through the filter 30 and supplies the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 and the like.
- the cathode gas supply device may be a device that can supply the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1, and may be a blower, a pump, or the like.
- the compressor 32 is driven by receiving power from the low-power battery 52 that can store the power from the fuel cell stack 1.
- the control valve 34 is a control valve that controls the flow rate of the cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1.
- the valve opening amount of the control valve 34 is controlled by the control unit 6.
- the heating device 35 is a device for heating the cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1.
- the heating device 35 uses a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the cathode gas and the exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack 1, a combustor that heats the cathode gas by burning fuel, and heat of catalytic reaction. And a combustor for heating the cathode gas.
- the heating device 35 heats the cathode gas using the fuel supplied from the fuel tank 20 via the branch path 222.
- the combustor air supply passage 331 is a bypass passage that branches from the cathode gas supply passage 33 and is connected to the exhaust combustor 40, and is configured to bypass the fuel cell stack 1 and supply air to the exhaust combustor 40.
- the combustor air supply passage 331 is connected to the exhaust combustor 40, but may be joined to the cathode gas discharge passage 39.
- the control valve 341 controls the flow rate of the cathode gas supplied to the exhaust combustor 40.
- the valve opening amount of the control valve 341 is controlled by the control unit 6.
- the exhaust combustor 40 mainly burns unburned gas in the anode off-gas and oxygen contained in the cathode off-gas.
- oxygen contained in the cathode offgas supplied to the exhaust combustor 40 may be insufficient. In such a case, it becomes difficult to burn all of the unburned gas, so the control valve 341 is opened and the cathode gas is supplied to the exhaust combustor 40 as a combustion promoting gas. Thereby, unburned gas can be burned reliably.
- the exhaust system 4 includes an anode gas discharge passage 29, a cathode gas discharge passage 39, an exhaust combustor 40, and an exhaust passage 41.
- a temperature sensor 62 is provided in the anode gas discharge passage 29 located between the fuel cell stack 1 and the exhaust combustor 40.
- the temperature sensor 62 detects the temperature of the anode off gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 1.
- the detection value of the temperature sensor 62 is hereinafter referred to as “anode outlet temperature”.
- the anode outlet temperature detected by the temperature sensor 62 is output to the control unit 6.
- the exhaust combustor 40 mixes the anode off-gas and the cathode off-gas, and catalytically burns the mixed gas, thereby generating exhaust gas mainly composed of carbon dioxide and water, and heat generated by the catalytic combustion as the heat exchanger 25. To communicate.
- the exhaust combustor 40 discharges the post-combustion gas generated after combustion to the exhaust passage 41.
- the exhaust passage 41 is a passage through which the burned gas from the exhaust combustor 40 is discharged to the outside air.
- the exhaust passage 41 passes through the evaporator 24 and is connected to a muffler (not shown). Thereby, the evaporator 24 is heated by the post-combustion gas from the exhaust combustor 40.
- a temperature sensor 63 is provided between the exhaust combustor 40 and the evaporator 24 in the exhaust passage 41.
- the temperature sensor 63 detects the temperature of the exhaust gas (post-combustion gas) exhausted from the exhaust combustor 40.
- the detected value of the temperature sensor 63 is referred to as “combustor outlet temperature”.
- the combustor outlet temperature detected by the temperature sensor 63 is output to the control unit 6.
- the power supply system 5 is provided between the fuel cell stack 1 and the load device 90, and boosts the voltage of the fuel cell stack 1 so that the fuel cell stack 1 can supply current to the voltage of the load device 90. Thus, electric power can be supplied from the fuel cell stack 1 to the load device 90.
- the power supply system 5 corresponds to a power supply device.
- the power supply system 5 includes a voltage sensor 50, a DC-DC converter 51, a motor inverter (not shown), and the like.
- the voltage sensor 50 is connected between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the fuel cell stack 1 and detects the voltage at the output terminal of the fuel cell stack 1.
- the detection value of the voltage sensor 50 is hereinafter referred to as “stack voltage”.
- the stack voltage detected by the voltage sensor 50 is output to the control unit 6.
- the DC-DC converter 51 boosts the voltage of the fuel cell stack 1 with respect to the voltage of the battery 92 and the drive motor 91 so that the generated power of the fuel cell stack 1 can be taken out to the battery 92 and the drive motor 91. It is a vessel.
- the DC-DC converter 51 is connected to the fuel cell stack 1 and boosts the output voltage of the primary fuel cell stack 1 to supply the generated power to the secondary load device 90. For example, the DC-DC converter 51 increases the voltage of several tens of volts output from the fuel cell stack 1 to a voltage level of several hundred volts so that electric power is supplied to the load device 90.
- the low-power battery 52 can store the power generated by the fuel cell stack 1.
- the low power battery 52 supplies driving power to the compressor 32.
- the low-power battery 52 also supplies power to the control valves 23, 231, 232, 34, and 341 that are electromagnetic valves.
- the controller 6 controls the execution or interruption of charging from the fuel cell stack 1 to the low-power battery 52.
- the load device 90 is an electrical load connected to the fuel cell system 10, and is, for example, an electrical component mounted on a vehicle.
- the load device 90 includes a drive motor 91 and a battery 92.
- the drive motor 91 is connected to the battery 92 and the DC-DC converter 51 via an inverter (not shown).
- the drive motor 91 is a power source that drives the vehicle.
- the drive motor 91 can generate regenerative power using a braking force necessary for braking the vehicle, and can charge the battery 92 with the regenerative power.
- the battery 92 is a power supply source that supplies the stored power to the drive motor 91.
- the battery 92 is the main power supply source, and the fuel cell stack 1 is mainly used to charge the battery 92 when the charge amount of the battery 92 becomes low. Further, the electric power of the fuel cell stack 1 may be supplied to the drive motor 91 via the DC-DC converter 51.
- the control unit 6 includes a general-purpose electronic circuit including a microcomputer, a microprocessor, and a CPU and peripheral devices, and executes a process for controlling the fuel cell system 10 by executing a specific program.
- the control unit 6 receives signals output from various sensors such as the voltage sensor 50 and the temperature sensors 61 to 63, and in response to these signals, the fuel supply system 2, the oxidant supply system 3, the exhaust system 4, and The operating state of each power supply system 5 is controlled.
- the control unit 6 is connected to an operation unit 101 that outputs a start command signal or a stop command signal of the fuel cell system 10.
- the operation unit 101 includes an EV key, and outputs a start command signal to the control unit 6 when the EV key is turned ON by a passenger, and outputs a stop command signal to the control unit 6 when the EV key is operated OFF. To do.
- the control unit 6 When receiving a start command signal from the operation unit 101, the control unit 6 performs a start-up operation for starting the fuel cell system 10, and after the start-up operation, the fuel cell stack according to the operating state of the load device 90.
- the power generation operation for controlling the power generation of 1 is performed.
- the fuel cell system 10 may be activated when the amount of charge of the battery 92 is equal to or less than a predetermined value that requires charging (for example, SOC (State of charge) is 90% or less).
- the control unit 6 determines the power required for the fuel cell stack 1 according to the operating state of the load device 90. Then, the control unit 6 calculates the supply flow rates of the cathode gas and the anode gas necessary for power generation of the fuel cell stack 1 based on the required power, and uses the calculated supply flow rates of the anode gas and the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack. 1 is supplied. Then, the control unit 6 performs switching control on the DC-DC converter 51 and supplies power output from the fuel cell system 10 to the load device 90.
- the control unit 6 controls the power generation amount of the fuel cell stack 1 by controlling the flow rates of the cathode gas and the anode gas based on the required power for the fuel cell stack 1.
- the required power for the fuel cell stack 1 increases as the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal increases.
- the supply flow rates of the cathode gas and the anode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 increase as the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal increases.
- the cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 may be controlled based on the deviation between the target temperature of the fuel cell stack 1 and the actual temperature. When the actual temperature is higher than the target temperature and the deviation is large, the supply amount of the cathode gas is increased compared to when the deviation is small.
- the control unit 6 suppresses power generation of the fuel cell stack 1 and is suitable for power generation of the fuel cell.
- a system state in which power supply from the fuel cell system 10 to the load device 90 is stopped is referred to as an “idle stop (IS) state”, and a self-sustained operation is referred to as an “IS operation”.
- the operation state of the fuel cell system 10 changes from the power generation operation to the IS operation.
- the control part 6 controls the DC-DC converter 51, and stops the electric power supply from the fuel cell system 10 to the load apparatus 90.
- the generated power of the fuel cell stack 1 may be supplied to the auxiliary equipment provided in the fuel cell system 10. It is not necessary to supply power from the fuel cell stack 1 to the auxiliary machine.
- control unit 6 When the stop command signal is received from the operation unit 101, the control unit 6 performs a stop operation for stopping the operation of the fuel cell system 10.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a type of power supply to the load device 90 in the fuel cell system 10 in which the EV key is ON.
- FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the drive motor 91 is in a stopped state and power is being supplied from the fuel cell system 10 to the battery 92.
- the state shown in FIG. 2A can occur when the vehicle is in a stopped state and the amount of charge of the battery 92 is small.
- FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the drive motor 91 is in a power running state and power is being supplied from both the fuel cell system 10 and the battery 92 to the drive motor 91.
- the state shown in FIG. 2B can occur when the vehicle is in an accelerated state and the load (output) of the drive motor 91 is high.
- FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram showing a state where the drive motor 91 is in a power running state or a regenerative state and power supply from the fuel cell system 10 to both the drive motor 91 and the battery 92 is stopped.
- the state shown in FIG. 2C may occur when the drive motor 91 is driven with a low load or a medium load while the vehicle is traveling, and when the battery 92 is fully charged. It can also occur when the vehicle is in a deceleration state and the capacity of the battery 92 has room to charge.
- FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the drive motor 91 is stopped and the battery 92 is fully charged.
- the state shown in FIG. 2D can occur when the vehicle is in a stopped state and the battery 92 is fully charged.
- FIGS. 2C and 2D the state shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, that is, the system in which power supply from the fuel cell system 10 to both the drive motor 91 and the battery 92 is stopped.
- the state corresponds to the IS state of the fuel cell system 10.
- the load device 90 transmits an IS operation request to the fuel cell system 10.
- the fuel cell system 10 is Can be in a state. In such a case, the required power to the fuel cell stack 1 becomes zero and the IS operation is performed.
- control unit 6 of the present embodiment stops the power supply from the fuel cell system 10 to the load device 90 when switching from the power generation operation to the IS operation, but supplies the anode gas to the fuel cell stack 1. Continue.
- the cathode gas that has permeated the electrolyte layer directly causes a direct chemical reaction (different from the electrochemical reaction) with the anode gas. Therefore, after the IS operation is started, the stack voltage measured by the voltage sensor 50 decreases with time as the supply flow rate of the cathode gas decreases. Further, when the fuel cell stack 1 is exposed to oxygen at a high temperature, the nickel of the catalyst deteriorates due to the oxidation reaction.
- the control unit 6 of the present embodiment continues to supply the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 in order to suppress the voltage drop. For this reason, a decrease in the stack voltage is suppressed.
- the control unit 6 of the present embodiment continues to supply the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 in order to suppress the voltage drop. For this reason, a decrease in the stack voltage is suppressed.
- the control unit 6 of the present embodiment continues to supply the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 in order to suppress the voltage drop. For this reason, a decrease in the stack voltage is suppressed.
- the control unit 6 of the present embodiment continues to supply the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 in order to suppress the voltage drop. For this reason, a decrease in the stack voltage is suppressed.
- the anode gas it is possible to maintain the anode gas concentration in the anode electrode while consuming oxygen permeated to the anode electrode, so that the oxidative deterioration of the anode electrode can be suppressed.
- FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing operation control of the fuel cell system 10 in the present embodiment.
- step S31 the control unit 6 performs a power generation operation.
- the power controller is controlled based on the required power to the fuel cell stack 1 to adjust the amount of power taken out from the fuel cell stack 1.
- control unit 6 uses a predetermined map, an arithmetic expression, or the like based on the required power from the load device 90 to the fuel cell system 10, and the cathode gas flow rate required for power generation of the fuel cell stack 1 and A target value of the anode gas flow rate is calculated.
- control unit 6 drives the compressor 32 based on the target value of the cathode gas flow rate and opens the control valve 34.
- the cathode gas is supplied from outside the fuel cell system 10 by the compressor 32, the cathode gas is heated by the heating device 35 and then supplied to the cathode electrode of the fuel cell stack 1.
- control unit 6 drives the pump 21 based on the target value of the anode gas flow rate and opens the control valve 23.
- the reforming fuel supplied from the fuel tank 20 by the pump 21 is vaporized by the evaporator 24, and the vaporized fuel is heated by the heat exchanger 25.
- the heated fuel is reformed into an anode gas in the reformer 26, and this anode gas is supplied to the anode electrode of the fuel cell stack 1.
- the anode gas and the cathode gas supplied according to the conduction state of the power controller cause an electrochemical reaction, thereby generating electric power.
- the anode off-gas and the cathode off-gas generated after the electrochemical reaction are discharged to the exhaust combustor 40.
- step S32 the control unit 6 determines whether or not an IS operation request has been received from the load device 90.
- the IS operation request for example, when the battery 92 is fully charged or when the charge amount of the battery 92 is equal to or less than a predetermined value that requires charging, the required power to the fuel cell stack 1 becomes zero. Issued when the battery 92 is fully charged or when the charge amount of the battery 92 is equal to or less than a predetermined value that requires charging, the required power to the fuel cell stack 1 becomes zero. Issued when the battery 92 is fully charged or when the charge amount of the battery 92 is equal to or less than a predetermined value that requires charging, the required power to the fuel cell stack 1 becomes zero. Issued when the battery 92 is fully charged or when the charge amount of the battery 92 is equal to or less than a predetermined value that requires charging, the required power to the fuel cell stack 1 becomes zero. Issued when the battery 92 is fully charged or when the charge amount of the battery 92 is equal to or less than a predetermined value that requires charging
- step S33 the IS operation is started.
- the control unit 6 controls the operation of the DC-DC converter 51 to stop the power supply from the fuel cell system 10 to the load device 90.
- the control part 6 controls the control valve 34 and the control valve 23 so that valve opening amount may become small, and controls the flow volume of anode gas and cathode gas. In this way, anode gas and cathode gas at a predetermined flow rate are supplied to the fuel cell stack 1.
- the predetermined flow rate of the anode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 is determined such that the anode electrode is not oxidized and deteriorated even if the cathode gas permeates from the cathode electrode to the anode electrode in the fuel cell stack 1.
- the assumed duration of IS operation is determined in advance, and a predetermined flow rate is set at which the anode gas concentration can be maintained at a high level even when oxygen flows into the anode electrode during that duration.
- the controller 6 may temporarily increase the anode gas supply flow rate to the fuel cell stack 1 for each predetermined duration.
- the predetermined flow rate of the cathode gas is determined so that the potential of the cathode electrode of the fuel cell stack 1 is maintained. Therefore, in the fuel cell stack 1, the voltage does not decrease due to the shortage of the cathode gas.
- the predetermined flow rate of the anode gas and the predetermined flow rate of the cathode gas may be obtained by experiments or may be obtained based on a calculation result such as a simulation.
- step S33 the control unit 6 controls the control valve 341 to start supplying cathode gas to the exhaust combustor 40.
- step S34 the control unit 6 determines whether or not the stack voltage Vs exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage Vth. If the stack voltage Vs is equal to or lower than the threshold voltage Vth (S34: No), it is determined that the stack voltage Vs needs to be controlled to an appropriate voltage value, and the process proceeds to S35. When the stack voltage Vs exceeds the threshold voltage Vth (S34: Yes), the process proceeds to S36.
- the stack voltage Vs changes according to the degree of progress of the direct chemical reaction between the anode gas and the cathode gas in the fuel cell stack 1. Further, sufficient cathode gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 so that the voltage does not decrease due to shortage of the cathode gas. Therefore, the stack voltage Vs decreases only when the anode gas decreases in the fuel cell stack 1.
- the stack voltage Vs is greatly decreased, the anode gas concentration is decreased and the oxygen partial pressure is increased, so that the anode electrode of the fuel cell stack 1 is highly likely to be oxidized. Therefore, in the determination process of S34, the stack voltage Vs that increases the possibility that the anode electrode is oxidized in the fuel cell stack 1 is set as the threshold voltage Vth.
- the stack voltage Vs can be maintained during the IS operation by adjusting the supply flow rate of the anode gas so that the stack voltage Vs does not fall below the threshold voltage Vth.
- step S35 the anode gas control process as described above is performed. Details of this anode gas control process are shown in FIG. 3B.
- step S351 the control unit 6 determines whether or not the stack voltage Vs is equal to or higher than the upper limit voltage Vmax.
- the upper limit voltage Vmax is, for example, an upper limit value of the stack voltage Vs allowed during the IS operation.
- stack voltage Vs is equal to or higher than the upper limit voltage Vmax (S351: Yes), it is determined that there is no need to increase the stack voltage Vs, and the process proceeds to S353.
- stack voltage Vs is lower than the upper limit voltage Vmax (S351: No), it is determined that the stack voltage Vs needs to be increased, and the process proceeds to step S352.
- step S352 the control unit 6 increases the flow rate of the anode gas flowing into the fuel cell stack 1 by increasing the valve opening amount of the control valve 23. After the process of S352, the process returns to the process of step S351.
- the stack voltage Vs can be increased by increasing the flow rate of the anode gas.
- the control unit 6 determines the flow rate for increasing the anode gas and the time for the increase, and controls the control valve 23 so that the stack voltage Vs becomes the upper limit voltage Vmax, thereby increasing the flow rate of the anode gas.
- the supply flow rate and time of the anode gas to be increased may be obtained by experiments, or may be obtained based on calculation results such as simulation.
- step S353 the control unit 6 decreases the valve opening amount of the control valve 23 and decreases the flow rate of the anode gas to a predetermined flow rate.
- step S36 it is determined whether or not the stack temperature Ts, which is the temperature of the fuel cell stack 1, exceeds a threshold temperature Tth (for example, 650 degrees).
- the threshold temperature Tth is a temperature at which the conductivity of oxygen ions is ensured in the electrolyte layer of the fuel cell stack 1. Therefore, in order for the fuel cell stack 1 to resume power generation without delay, the stack temperature Ts needs to be higher than the threshold temperature Tth.
- the stack temperature Ts is equal to or lower than the threshold temperature Tth (S36: No)
- the stack temperature Ts needs to be increased, and the process proceeds to S37.
- the stack temperature Ts exceeds the predetermined threshold temperature Tth S36: Yes
- the process proceeds to S38.
- the stack temperature Ts can be obtained from the stack inlet temperature acquired by the temperature sensor 61 and the stack outlet temperature acquired by the temperature sensor 62.
- step S37 power supply control is performed. Details of this power supply control are shown in FIG. 3C.
- step S371 the control unit 6 determines whether or not the stack temperature Ts is equal to or higher than an upper limit temperature Tmax (for example, 750 degrees) allowed during IS operation. If the stack temperature Ts is equal to or higher than the upper limit temperature Tmax (S371: Yes), it is determined that there is no need to increase the stack temperature Ts, and the process proceeds to S373. When the stack temperature Ts is lower than the upper limit temperature Tmax (S371: No), it is determined that the stack temperature Ts needs to be increased, and the process proceeds to step S372.
- an upper limit temperature Tmax for example, 750 degrees
- step S372 the control unit 6 starts supplying power from the fuel cell stack 1 to the auxiliary equipment included in the fuel cell system 10.
- the control unit 6 may increase the power supplied to the compressor 32 via the low power battery 52. By doing so, the fuel cell stack 1 starts power generation, so that the stack temperature Ts rises.
- the supply flow rate of the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 during the power supply from the fuel cell stack 1 to the auxiliary machine during the IS operation is the supply of the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 during the power generation operation. Less than the flow rate. Since the temperature of the cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 is lower than the temperature of the fuel cell stack 1 generating power, the temperature of the fuel cell stack 1 decreases as the supply flow rate of the cathode gas increases. . Therefore, the decrease in the temperature of the fuel cell stack 1 can be suppressed by making the cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 smaller than that during the power generation operation.
- step S372 After the process of S372 is performed, the process returns to the process of step S371. Therefore, the increase in the supplied power is performed until the stack temperature Ts becomes equal to or higher than the upper limit temperature Tmax.
- step S373 the control unit 6 stops the power supply from the fuel cell stack 1. For example, power supply from the fuel cell system 10 to the low-power battery 52 is cut off. By doing so, the increase in the stack temperature Ts is stopped. Therefore, the stack temperature Ts is always a temperature suitable for power generation, and the conductivity of oxygen ions in the electrolyte layer is ensured.
- the control unit 6 determines whether or not an IS return request has been received from the load device 90.
- the IS return request is issued, for example, when the battery 92 needs to be charged or when there is a possibility that the power supply to the drive motor 91 is insufficient. That is, an IS return request is issued when the load (required power) of the load device 90 is greater than zero.
- the control unit 6 When the control unit 6 has not received the IS return request (S38: No), the control unit 6 returns to step S34, and repeatedly executes the processing from step S34 to S37 until receiving the IS return request from the load device 90. On the other hand, when receiving the IS return request (S38: Yes), the control unit 6 ends the IS operation and ends the operation control. As a result, the operation state of the fuel cell system 10 transitions from the IS operation to the power generation operation, and the power generation operation is performed in step S31 in the next control cycle. As described above, the stack temperature Ts is always a temperature suitable for power generation, and the conductivity of oxygen ions in the electrolyte layer is ensured, so that the time required for transition from the IS operation state to the power generation operation state can be shortened. it can.
- the control unit 6 continuously supplies the anode gas and the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 after stopping the power supply from the fuel cell system 10 to the load device 90. Then, the stack voltage Vs and the stack temperature Ts are maintained at values in appropriate ranges.
- FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a control method of IS operation in the present embodiment.
- FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a change in the stack temperature Ts.
- FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a change in the stack voltage Vs.
- FIG. 4C is a diagram showing the anode gas partial pressure in the fuel cell stack 1.
- FIG. 4D is a diagram showing a change in the flow rate of the cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 according to the valve opening amount of the control valve 34.
- FIG. 4 (e) is a diagram showing a change in the flow rate of the anode gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 according to the valve opening amount of the control valve 23.
- FIG. 4 (f) is a diagram showing a change in current supplied from the fuel cell stack 1.
- the horizontal axis of each drawing from FIG. 4A to FIG. 4F is a common time axis.
- Time t0 is a time when the battery 92 is fully charged and an IS operation request is issued from the load device 90, for example.
- the power generation operation S31
- S32: Yes When an IS operation request is received from the load device at time t0 (S32: Yes), power supply from the fuel cell system 10 to the load device 90 is stopped. Then, after time t0, the IS operation (S33 to S38) is performed.
- the controller 6 controls the DC-DC converter 51 to supply current from the fuel cell system 10 to the load device 90, as shown in FIG. Stop.
- the control unit 6 reduces the valve opening amount of the control valve 23 so that the anode gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 by a predetermined flow rate.
- the control unit 6 reduces the valve opening amount of the control valve 34 so that the cathode gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 by a predetermined flow rate. To do.
- the timing at which the cathode gas supply flow rate decreases (time t0a) is delayed from the timing at which the anode gas supply flow rate decreases (time t0).
- the stack voltage Vs becomes the threshold voltage Vth.
- the controller 6 performs anode gas supply control (S35).
- the supply flow rate of the anode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 is increased by a predetermined time by controlling the control valve 23 (S352).
- the stack voltage Vs rises as shown in FIG. 4 (b) as the anode gas partial pressure in the fuel cell stack 1 rises.
- the control unit 6 controls the control valve 23 to reduce the flow rate of the anode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 so that only a predetermined flow rate of the anode gas is supplied (S353).
- the stack voltage Vs rises from time t1 to time t2, but since the power supply from the fuel cell system 10 to the load device 90 is stopped, the fuel cell stack 1 is generating power. Absent. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, the stack temperature Ts continues to decrease.
- the stack temperature Ts becomes the threshold temperature Tth.
- the control unit 6 performs power supply control (S37).
- S37 power supply control
- the fuel cell stack 1 is generated to generate heat. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, after time t2, the fuel cell stack 1 resumes power generation, and therefore the stack temperature Ts starts to rise.
- FIG. 4F the stack current supplied from the fuel cell stack 1 to the auxiliary machine of the fuel cell system 10 increases.
- the stack voltage Vs and the anode gas partial pressure are Decreases temporarily.
- the stack voltage Vs and the anode gas partial pressure increase again.
- the load device 90 issues an IS operation request to the fuel cell system 10 when the battery 92 is fully charged and the load (required power) of the load device 90 is greater than zero.
- the load device 90 may issue an IS operation request to the fuel cell system 10 when the amount of charge of the battery 92 is equal to or less than a predetermined remaining amount (for example, 90%) that needs to be charged.
- the fuel cell system 10 that is executing the power generation operation step (S31) receives an IS operation request when the load (required power) becomes a predetermined value or less (S32: Yes), the independent operation steps (S33 to S37) are executed.
- a predetermined flow rate of anode gas and a predetermined flow rate of cathode gas are supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 (S33).
- the anode electrode of the fuel cell stack 1 is easily oxidized when it comes into contact with oxygen. Therefore, if the cathode gas permeates the anode electrode in the fuel cell stack 1, the anode electrode may be deteriorated. Therefore, by supplying a predetermined amount of anode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 during the self-sustained operation, even if the cathode gas permeates to the anode electrode, oxygen contained in the permeated cathode gas is reduced from the anode gas. Consumed by direct chemical reaction. By doing so, since the oxygen partial pressure can be lowered by maintaining the anode gas concentration at a high concentration in the anode electrode, it is possible to prevent oxidative deterioration of the anode electrode.
- a cathode gas having a flow rate sufficient to maintain the potential of the cathode electrode of the fuel cell stack 1 is supplied.
- the potential of the cathode electrode is maintained, and the voltage drop due to the shortage of the cathode gas is suppressed. Therefore, the voltage of the fuel cell stack 1 can be controlled by controlling only the anode gas.
- the anode gas having a predetermined flow rate that can consume oxygen contained in the cathode gas that permeates to the anode electrode is supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 during the self-sustaining operation. Is supplied. Therefore, the oxidative deterioration of the anode electrode can be suppressed without consuming more anode gas than necessary.
- the fuel cell stack 1 is supplied with a cathode gas having a predetermined flow rate that does not cause a voltage drop due to the cathode gas shortage.
- the voltage of the fuel cell stack 1 can be controlled by controlling only the anode gas. Therefore, the controllability of the fuel cell system 10 is improved.
- the voltage maintaining step (S34, 35) for changing the supply flow rate of the anode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 according to the stack voltage Vs is executed.
- the stack voltage Vs decreases, the oxygen partial pressure increases as the anode gas concentration decreases, so the anode electrode of the fuel cell stack 1 is likely to be oxidized. Therefore, by executing the voltage maintaining step (S34, 35) for maintaining the stack voltage Vs within a predetermined voltage range, it is possible to suppress the oxidative deterioration of the anode electrode.
- the anode to the fuel cell stack 1 when the stack voltage Vs is lower than the threshold voltage Vth (S34: No), the anode to the fuel cell stack 1 is set so that the stack voltage Vs becomes the upper limit voltage Vmax.
- the gas supply flow rate is increased (S352).
- the stack voltage Vs reaches the upper limit voltage Vmax (S351: Yes) the supply flow rate of the anode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 is decreased (S353). In this way, the stack voltage Vs can be maintained within the temperature range between the threshold voltage Vth and the upper limit voltage Vmax.
- the temperature maintaining step (S36, 37) is performed such that the temperature of the fuel cell stack 1 (stack temperature) is within a predetermined temperature range.
- the fuel cell stack 1 has a temperature at which the fuel cell stack 1 can always properly generate power, so that the fuel cell stack 1 can immediately resume power generation. . Therefore, the delay at the time of transition from the self-sustaining operation state to the power generation operation state can be suppressed.
- the power supply step (S37) for supplying power from the fuel cell system 10 to the load device 90 is executed.
- the stack temperature Ts falls below the threshold temperature Tth (S36: No)
- power supply to the fuel cell stack 1 is started (S372).
- the stack temperature Ts reaches the upper limit temperature Tmax (S371: Yes)
- the power supply is stopped (S373).
- the fuel cell system 10 of the first embodiment when the power supply step (S37) is performed, power is supplied from the fuel cell stack 1 to the auxiliary devices of the fuel cell system 10 such as the cathode compressor 9.
- the fuel cell stack 1 can supply electric power other than the electric power supply system 5 without adding a new auxiliary machine, the configuration of the fuel cell system 10 can be simplified.
- the supply flow rate of the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 1 when the power supply step (S37) is performed is the same as the cathode to the fuel cell stack 1 during the power generation operation. Less than the gas supply flow rate. By doing so, the relatively low temperature cathode gas can be prevented from flowing into the fuel cell stack 1, so that the temperature drop of the fuel cell stack 1 can be prevented.
- the exhaust combustor 40 mixes the anode off-gas and the cathode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 1 and burns the mixture. By doing in this way, since the unburned gas contained in the anode off gas is completely burned, it is possible to prevent the anode gas contained in the unburned gas from being discharged out of the fuel cell system 10.
- FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure related to operation control of the fuel cell system 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- the operation control of the fuel cell system 10 shown in FIG. 5A is different from the operation control of the fuel cell system 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3A in that the process of step S37 is changed to the process of step S51. Is different.
- step S51 heating device control is performed. Details of this heating device control are shown in FIG. 5B.
- step S511 the control unit 6 determines whether or not the stack temperature Ts is equal to or higher than the upper limit temperature Tmax.
- the stack temperature Ts is equal to or higher than the upper limit temperature Tmax (S511: No)
- the process proceeds to S513.
- the stack temperature Ts is lower than the upper limit temperature Tmax (S511: Yes)
- step S512 the control unit 6 activates the heating device 35 and controls the control valve 232 to increase the fuel supply flow rate to the heating device 35. By doing so, the amount of heat generated by the heating device 35 increases, so that the cathode gas passing through the cathode gas supply passage 33 via the compressor 32 is further heated by the heating device 35 and then supplied to the fuel cell stack 1. Is done. As a result, the stack temperature Ts increases.
- step S513 the control unit 6 stops the heating device 35 and closes the control valve 232 to stop the fuel supply to the heating device 35.
- the stack temperature Ts rises to the upper limit temperature Tmax. Therefore, since the stack temperature Ts rises to the upper limit temperature Tmax, the stack temperature Ts is always a temperature suitable for power generation, and the time required for transition from the IS operation state to the power generation operation state can be shortened.
- FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a control method of IS operation in the present embodiment.
- FIG. 6 shows the change of the stack current in FIG. 4F, whereas in FIG. The difference is that the change in the fuel supply flow rate is shown.
- the control at times t0, t2, and t2a when the fuel supply amount shown in FIG. Note that, at times t4 and t4a, the same processing as at times t2 and t2a is performed.
- the control unit 6 closes the control valve 232 and stops the fuel supply to the heating device 35. Therefore, a decrease in the anode gas partial pressure shown in FIG. 6C and a decrease in the stack voltage Vs shown in FIG. 6B are started. As shown in FIG. 6A, the stack temperature Ts starts to decrease.
- stack temperature Ts becomes below threshold temperature Tth (S36: No).
- the control unit 6 activates the heating device 35 and opens the control valve 232 to start fuel supply to the heating device 35 (S512). Since the cathode gas heated by the heating device 35 is supplied to the fuel cell stack 1, an increase in the temperature of the fuel cell stack 1 is started as shown in FIG.
- the stack temperature Ts becomes the upper limit temperature Tmax (S511: Yes).
- the control unit 6 stops the heating device 35 and closes the control valve 232 to stop the fuel supply to the heating device 35 (S513). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, the increase in the stack temperature Ts is stopped.
- the fuel cell stack 1 does not generate power (electrochemical reaction) from time t2 to time t2a.
- the stack voltage Vs temporarily decreases due to the power generation of the fuel cell stack 1 from time t2 to time t2a.
- the stack voltage Vs since the fuel cell stack 1 does not generate power between time t2 and time t2a, the stack voltage Vs does not temporarily decrease. Therefore, the anode gas partial pressure shown in FIG. 6C does not temporarily decrease.
- the heating combustion step (S512) for operating the heating device 35 is performed in the temperature maintaining step.
- the cathode gas passing through the cathode gas supply passage 33 is heated by the heating device 35 and then supplied to the fuel cell stack 1.
- the temperature of the fuel cell stack 1 rises and the conductivity of oxygen ions in the electrolyte layer is ensured, so that the fuel cell stack 1 can appropriately perform power generation. Therefore, the delay at the time of transition from the self-sustaining operation state to the power generation operation state can be suppressed.
- the IS operation is performed when the required power of the load device 90 becomes zero, it is sufficient that the power supply from the fuel cell system to the load device 90 is stopped, and the required power for the fuel cell stack is The IS operation may be performed even if the predetermined value is greater than zero.
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Abstract
Description
図1は、本発明の第1実施形態における燃料電池システム10の主要構成を示す構成図である。
図5Aは、本発明の第2実施形態における燃料電池システム10の運転制御に関する処理手順例を示すフローチャートである。
Claims (12)
- アノードガス及びカソードガスが供給されると共に、負荷に応じて発電する固体酸化物型の燃料電池を備え、当該燃料電池へのガスの供給と発電を制御する燃料電池システムの制御方法であって、
前記負荷の大きさに応じて、前記燃料電池へと流れる前記アノードガス及び前記カソードガスの流量を制御する発電運転ステップと、
前記負荷が所定の値以下である場合には、前記燃料電池に自立運転を行わせる自立運転ステップと、を有し、
前記自立運転ステップは、
前記燃料電池に、所定の流量の前記アノードガス、及び、所定の流量の前記カソードガスを供給するガス供給ステップを有する、
燃料電池システムの制御方法。 - 請求項1に記載の燃料電池システムの制御方法であって、
前記ガス供給ステップにおいて、前記燃料電池に、前記燃料電池のカソード極の電位が維持される流量の前記カソードガスを供給する、
燃料電池システムの制御方法。 - 請求項1又は2に記載の燃料電池システムの制御方法であって、
前記ガス供給ステップにおいて、前記燃料電池に、前記燃料電池内において前記カソードガスのアノード電極への透過を抑制する流量の前記アノードガス、及び、該アノードガスの全てが前記燃料電池内にて反応する流量の前記カソードガスを供給する、
燃料電池システムの制御方法。 - 請求項1から3のいずれか1項に記載の燃料電池システムの制御方法であって、
前記自立運転ステップは、
前記燃料電池の電圧に応じて、前記アノードガスの流量を変化させる電圧維持ステップを、さらに有する、
燃料電池システムの制御方法。 - 請求項4に記載の燃料電池システムの制御方法であって、
前記電圧維持ステップにおいて、前記燃料電池の電圧が下限値を下回る場合には、前記燃料電池の電圧が上限値となるように、前記アノードガスの流量を増加させる、
燃料電池システムの制御方法。 - 請求項1から5のいずれか1項に記載の燃料電池システムの制御方法であって、
前記自立運転ステップは、
前記燃料電池の温度を、前記燃料電池が発電可能な温度範囲に維持する温度維持ステップを、さらに有する、
燃料電池システムの制御方法。 - 請求項6に記載の燃料電池システムの制御方法であって、
前記温度維持ステップは、
前記燃料電池の温度が下限値を下回る場合には、前記燃料電池を発電させて前記燃料電池から電力を供給させ、前記燃料電池の温度が上限値を上回る場合には、前記燃料電池の発電を停止する、電力供給ステップを有する、
燃料電池システムの制御方法。 - 請求項7に記載の燃料電池システムの制御方法であって、
前記燃料電池システムは、補機をさらに有し、
前記電力供給ステップにおいて、前記燃料電池から前記補機に電力を供給する、
燃料電池システムの制御方法。 - 請求項7又は8に記載の燃料電池システムの制御方法であって、
前記電力供給ステップにおける前記カソードガスの流量は、前記発電運転ステップにおける前記カソードガスの流量よりも小さい、
燃料電池システムの制御方法。 - 請求項6に記載の燃料電池システムの制御方法であって、
前記燃料電池システムは、
前記燃料電池に前記カソードガスを供給する流路に設けられる起動燃焼器を、さらに有し、
前記温度維持ステップは、
前記起動燃焼器を起動させる起動燃焼ステップを有する、
燃料電池システムの制御方法。 - 請求項1から10のいずれか1項に記載の燃料電池システムの制御方法であって、
前記燃料電池システムは、
前記燃料電池から排出されるアノードオフガス及びカソードオフガスを混合し、該混合されたガスを燃焼させる排気燃焼器を、さらに有し、
前記自立運転ステップは、
前記排気燃焼器を起動させる排気燃焼ステップを、さらに有する、
燃料電池システムの制御方法。 - アノードガス及びカソードガスが供給される燃料電池と、
前記燃料電池に前記アノードガス及び前記カソードガスを供給するガス供給装置と、
前記燃料電池から電力を取り出してバッテリ又はモータに供給する電力制御器と、
前記燃料電池に要求される負荷に基づいて前記燃料電池の発電運転を実施する制御部と、を含む燃料電池システムであって、
前記制御部は、前記負荷が所定の値以下となった場合には、前記燃料電池システムから前記負荷への電力供給を停止し、前記ガス供給装置から前記燃料電池のアノードに前記アノードガスを供給するとともに前記燃料電池のカソードに前記カソードガスを供給する、
燃料電池システム。
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